DETROIT -- Teams around the NHL are calling to inquire about center
Alex Zhamnov, Blackhawks general manager Bob Pulford said.

Pulford said teams aren't offering specific trade proposals but want
to get a sense of what the Hawks plan on doing with their captain, who
will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Pulford said again Tuesday the Hawks have not made a decision to trade
Zhamnov and they would like to re-sign him to a contract extension.

"We like Alex, we think he has been a good player for us," Pulford said.

Zhamnov, 33, is making $4.5 million this season. For him to give up
his unrestricted free agency this summer, it is likely to take at least
$5 million a season from the Hawks.

But money may not be the biggest factor. One person who has spoken to
Zhamnov said he is very "frustrated" playing for coach Brian Sutter and
he's not sure the Hawks will win with Sutter staying as coach.

Hawks President Bill Wirtz—who is believed to think very highly of Zhamnov—said
last season Sutter would coach the Hawks as long as Wirtz owned the team.

Despite that pledge, Sutter is in the final three months of his contract
with no talk of an extension as doubt spreads about whether he'll return.

Sutter is in his third year coaching the Hawks. He previously coached
Calgary for three seasons, Boston for three and St. Louis for four.

Pulford said he expected something to happen regarding Zhamnov before
the March trade deadline but he didn't want to set any arbitrary deadlines.
He and Zhamnov's agent, Jay Grossman, have had conversations but have not
exchanged specific contract proposals.

It's believed that unless the Wirtz family personally intervenes, the
Hawks won't risk losing Zhamnov over the summer for nothing and will trade
him sometime in the next month.

One NHL scout said Zhamnov would be very attractive for playoff-bound
teams. The Detroit Red Wings—the Hawks' opponent Wednesday night—and the
New Jersey Devils lead the list of rumored suitors for Zhamnov. It's believed
the Hawks would want an NHL-caliber player in return.

Pulford said it was understandable Zhamnov would want to play on a contending
team at this stage of his career but he didn't think Zhamnov was hoping
for a trade.

With a potential lockout looming, conventional wisdom is out the door
as far as trading for unrestricted free agents. Teams that think they are
a player away from a deep playoff run aren't concerned about the roughly
$2 million left on Zhamnov's contract or the possibility they will be unable
to sign him over the summer.

"I don't think money is an issue with a player of his caliber," Pulford
said.

Since returning from back surgery on New Year's Eve, Zhamnov has three
goals and three assists in seven games. His back doesn't seem to be an
issue, although one Western Conference GM said it would raise question
marks.

The rumors and uncertainty may be starting to wear on Zhamnov. Without
prompting Monday night, he talked about his situation after the 7-4 loss
in St. Louis.

"I have a lot of things in my head right now, to be honest," he said.
"I just want to go on the ice and play hard and help this team. It's not
easy but that's the business and I understand it."